The Old Catholic Church by its Episcopal Synod has approved for use the Missal, containing the Holy Liturgy, which was promulgated by Bishop Arnold H. Mathew with approbation of the Archbishop Gul of Utrecht, "Missale Romanum" promulgated by Pope St. Pius V (and incorporated in the Gul/Mathew Missal by reference) (in the eary 1900's), and "The English Missal" published by Knott & Sons.

We use a Holy Litrugy and most practices based on the Roman Rite.

We are pleased to present our General Liturgy below (there may be some minor variations between our local Missions\Churches)...

(This is proper to the day and can be found in the book "Graduale". It is omitted at said services.) When the Priest and Servers have knelt at the foot of the Altar, the choir begins to sing the Introit. After the Introit (or at a said Mass, after they have genuflected) the Priest and Servers rise and all sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross, the Priest saying:

Priest: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
I will go unto the altar of God.
Servers: Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

Pr. Give sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause against the ungodly people: O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man.
Pr. O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may Lead me: and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy Dwelling.
S. And that I may go unto the altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness:
Pr. And upon the harp will I give thanks unto thee O God, my God. Why art thou so heavy, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me?
S. O put thy trust in God: for I will yet give him thanks, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Pr. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
S. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end.  Amen.
Pr. I will go unto the Altar of God.
S. Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

(All sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross, as the Priest says: )

Pr. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
S. Who hath made heaven and earth.

Pr. I confess to God almighty, before Blessed Mary the Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you brothers, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault, my own fault, my most grievous fault.
(Observe that confession is made to God, but before the Saints in glory and the Church on earth.  At the words 'My fault, my own fault, my most grievous fault" the Priest smites his breast three times.)
Where I pray blessed Mary the Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you brothers, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

S. Almighty God have mercy upon thee, forgive thee thy sins, and bring thee to everlasting life.
Pr. Amen.

S. I confess to God almighty, before blessed Mary the Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you brothers, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault, my own fault, my most grievous fault.  Where I pray blessed Mary the Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you brothers, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Pr. Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life.
 

S. Amen.

(All sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross as the Priest says:)

Pr. The almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution and remission of all our sins.
S. Amen.

Pr. Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us, O God,
S. That thy people may rejoice in thee.
Pr. O Lord, shrew thy mercy upon us.
S. And grant us thy salvation.
Pr. O Lord, hear our prayer.
S. And let our cry come unto thee.
Pr. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.

Pr. Let us pray.

(The Priest ascends to the Altar and says: )

Take away from us, we beseech thee O Lord, our iniquities; that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies.  Through Christ, our Lord.
S. Amen.
Pr. We beseech thee, O Lord, in communion with thy Saints; that thou wouldst vouchsafe to pardon all our sins.
S. Amen.

(In a service that is not sung, the Priest and Servers say alternately: )

Pr. Lord, have mercy.
S. Lord, have mercy.
Pr. Lord, have mercy.
S. Christ, have mercy.
Pr. Christ, have mercy.
S. Christ, have mercy.
Pr. Lord, have mercy.
S. Lord, have mercy.
Pr. Lord, have mercy.

("Gloria in Excelsis".  During Advent, from Septuagesima until the end of Lent, at said Masses during the week throughout the year, and Requiem Masses, this is omitted, except on Holy Days)

Pr. Glory be to God on High, and in earth peace good will towards men.
We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee.
We give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord;
Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
Art most high in the glory of God the Father.

S. Amen.

(This prayer is proper to the day, others may be added.)

Pr. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.

Pr. Let us pray.

(The Priest sings the Collect(s).  At the end of these prayers the People sing (or the Servers) say:

S. Amen.

(This is proper to the day.  The Priest reads the Lesson for the day, and thereafter the Servers say:)

S. Thanks be to God.

(On some days, two lessons will be read.  Between the first and second lesson is said or sung: )

Pr. My tongue shall sing of thy word for all thy commandments are righteous.
S. Shew me thy ways and teach me thy paths.
Pr. Shew thy mercy upon us, Alleluia!
S. And grant us thy salvation Alleluia!
 

(From Septuagesima until the end of Lent: )

Pr. My tongue shall sing of thy word; for all thy commandments are righteous.
S. Shew me thy ways and teach me thy paths
Pr. Deal not with us after our sins
S. Nor reward us according to our wickednesses.
Pr. Help us, O God of our salvation for the glory of thy name
S. And be merciful unto our sins for thy name's sake.

(Graduals have been discontinued, but in Easter and Whitsunweek, at Corpus Christi, and at some (but not all) Requiems, antiphonal hymns are sung after the Epistle.  These are the ancient "Sequentiae")

Pr. Almighty God, who didst cleanse the lips of the Prophet Isaiah by thy touch, vouchsafe of thy gracious mercy, so to cleanse my heart and lips, that I may worthily proclaim thy holy Gospel.  Through Christ our Lord.
S. Amen.

(The Congregation stands up, and the Priest says: )

Pr. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.

(The Priest reads the Gospel for the day.  at the announcement of which, Priest and Congregation sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross upon the forehead, mouth, and breast, after which the Servers say: )

S. Glory be to thee, O Lord.

(At the end of the Gospel the Servers respond: ))

S. Praise be to thee, O Christ.

(If there is to be a sermon, the congregation sits and a short one-versed hymn is sung.  After the sermon the Congregation sings a hymn from the Catholic Hymnbook.  (i.e. Katholiek gezangboek) While the Congregation stands the Priest reads the: )

(This is omitted at said Masses during the week and on some Holy Days)

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only- begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds.
God of God, light of light, very God of very God;
begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven,
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.  He suffered and was buried,
And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,
And ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father.
And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father.
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified.  Who spake by the Prophets.
And I believe One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
And I look for the resurrection of the dead.  And the life of the world to come.

S. Amen.

(An Offertory Sentence from Holy Scripture is no longer said)

Pr. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.

Pr. Let us pray.

(The Priest offers the Bread and prays: )

Pr. Accept, O holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, this unspotted Host, which I thy unworthy servant offer unto thee, my living and true God, for my unnumerable sins, offenses and negligences, and for all here present as also for all faithful Christians both living and departed; that it may avail both me and them for salvation unto eternal life.
S. Amen.

(The Priest pours wine and water into the chalice, and prays: )

Pr. O God, who hast wonderfully created the dignity of human nature, and hast still more wonderfully renewed it, grant that by the mystery of this water and wine, we may be made partakers of his divinity, who vouchsafed to be partaker of our humanity, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, throughout all ages, world without end.
S. Amen.

(He offers the chalice, and prays: )

We offer unto thee, O Lord, the cup of salvation, beseeching thy clemency that it may ascend as a sweet-smelling savour before thy divine majesty, for our salvation and for that of the whole world.
S. Amen.
Pr. In the spirit of humility and with a contrite heart, may we be accepted of thee, O Lord and may our sacrifice be so offered in thy sight this day as to be well pleasing unto thee, o Lord our God.  Come, sanctifier, almighty, eternal God, and bless this + sacrifice which is prepared for thy holy Name.

(When he censes, the Priest blesses the incense, saying: )

Pr. Be thou blessed + by Him, in whose honour thou shalt be burnt.

(While he censes the Oblations and the Altar, he prays: )

Pr. May this incense, which thou hast blessed ascend unto thee, O Lord; and let thy mercy descend upon us.
Let my prayer, O Lord, be set forth in thy sight as the incense: and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.  Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; and keep the door of my lips.  O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing: let me not be occupied in ungodly works.

(While passing the censer to the Server, he says: )

Pr. May the Lord enkindle in us the fire of his love, and may it burn unto eternity.
S. Amen.

(The Priest washes his hands, and reads: Psalm 26 v. 6-12; the "Gloria Patri" is sometimes omitted.)

I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so will I go to thine altar; That I may shew the voice of thanksgiving: and tell of all thy wondrous works.  Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house: and the place where thine honour dwelleth.  O shut not up my soul with the sinners; nor my life with the blood-thirsty; In whose hands is wickedness: and their right hand is full of gifts.  But as for me, I will walk innocently:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end.
S. Amen.

Pr. Receive O holy Trinity, this oblation which we offer unto thee in memory of the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ; and in honour of blessed Mary the Virgin, of blessed John Baptist, of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of all the Saints, that it may be to their honour, and to our salvation, and may they vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven whose memory we celebrate on earth.  Through Christ our Lord.
S. Amen.

Pr. Pray brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Father Almighty.
S. The Lord receive the sacrifice from thy hands to the praise and glory of his Name, to our benefit and that of all his holy Church.

Pr. Amen.

(The Priest sings the: )

(This is proper to the day.  Others may be added. It was formerly called the "Secret".  At the close of this prayer the Congregation sings: )

S. Amen.

Pr. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Pr. Lift up your hearts.
S. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Pr. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
S. It is meet and right so to do.

(Special Prefaces are provided for Feasts and Holy Days.)

Pr. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee; O Lord holy Father almighty everlasting God, through Christ our Lord.  Through whom the Angels praise, the Dominations adore, the Powers fear thy majesty.  The Heavens and the heavenly Virtues and the blessed Seraphim together sing thy praise with exultation.  With whom, we beseech thee, bid that our voices also be admitted, with suppliant thanksgiving saying:

(The Congregation kneels and the Priest prays:)

Therefore, most merciful Father, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, we humbly pray and beseech thee, that thou accept and bless these + gifts, these offerings, these + holy and unspotted sacrifices, which we offer unto thee, in the first place for thy Holy Catholic Church, that thou vouchsafe to keep her in peace, preserve, unite and govern her through- out the whole world, together with our Bishops and all true believers and those who profess the catholic and apostolic faith.

Pr. Be mindful O Lord, of thy servants and handmaidens.

(Here all pray for a short time for those whom they desire to remember before God.  Thereafter the Priest continues: )

Remember mercifully also all here present whose faith and devotion are known unto thee, who offer unto thee this sacrifice of praise for them and theirs, for the redemption of their souls, for the hope of their salvation and safety, and who render their vows to thee, the eternal, living and true God.  Joining in the communion of Saints and reverencing the memory first of the glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ; as also of thy blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus; the holy Basil and Chrystostom, Ambrose and Augustine, Willibrord and Boniface, Gregory, Martin, Bavon, Lebuin, and of all thy Saints.  Grant unto us, we beseech thee, through their intercession, that we may be defended with the help of thy protection.  Through Christ, our Lord.
S. Amen.

(The Priest stretches his hands over the oblations and prays: )

Pr. Therefore O Lord we beseech thee graciously to accept the oblation of our bounden duty and of all thy family; order our days in thy peace, and save us from everlasting doom, and make us to be numbered in the flock of thine elect.  Through Christ our Lord.
S. Amen.

Pr. Which oblation do thou, O God, we beseech thee, vouchsafe in all things to make + blessed, + approved, ratified, reasonable and acceptable, that unto us it may become the Body + and Blood + of thy most dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
S. Amen.

(He takes the Bread into his hand, and says: )

Who the day before he suffered took bread in his holy and venerable hands, and lifting up his eyes to thee, God, his almighty Father, giving thanks to thee, he + blessed, brake and give it to his disciples, saying:

(While the Priest elevates the sacred Host, all sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross.  He then takes the Chalice and says: )

Likewise after Supper, taking also this excellent Chalice into his holy and venerable hands; also giving thanks to thee, he + blessed and gave to his disciples, saying:

As oft as ye do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of me.

While the Priest elevates the Chalice, all sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross.  Thereafter the Priest prays: )

Pr. Wherefore, O Lord, we thy servants, together with thy holy people, having in remembrance the most blessed passion of the same Christ, thy Son, our Lord, as also his resurrection from the dead and his glorious ascension into heaven; do offer unto thine excellent majesty from thine own gifts and bounty, a + pure sacrifice, a + holy sacrifice, a + spotless sacrifice, the + holy Bread of eternal life, and the + Chalice of everlasting salvation.

Upon which vouchsafe to look with a favourable and gracious countenance; and accept them, even as thou didst vouchsafe to accept the gifts of Abel, thy righteous servant, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and the holy and spotless sacrifice, which thy high priest Melchizedek offered unto thee.

We humbly beseech thee, almighty God, command that these gifts be borne by the hands of thy holy angel to thine altar on high, before the presence of thy divine majesty, that as many of us as partake of this altar, and receive the most holy + Body and + Blood of thy Son, may be filled with all heavenly benediction and grace.  Through Christ our Lord.

S. Amen.

Pr. Be mindful also, O Lord, of thy servants and hand- maidens who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace.

(Here all pray for a short time for those whom they desire to remember before God.  Thereafter the Priest continues: )

To them, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, we beseech thee grants, a place of refreshment, light and peace.  Through Christ, our Lord.
S. Amen.

Pr. Also to us, thy sinful servants, trusting in the multitude of thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with the Communion of thy Saints, unto whose fellowship we beseech thee to admit us, not weighing our merits, but of thy gracious favour.  Through Christ, our Lord

(The Priest elevates the Host and Chalice and all sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross)

S. Amen.

Pr. Let us pray.
As our Saviour Christ hath commended and taught us, we are bold to say:

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation.
S. But deliver us from evil.
Pr. Amen.

Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past present, and to come; and at the inter- cession of the blessed and glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and Andrew and all the Saints, and favourably grant peace in our days; that by thine availing mercy we may ever both be free from sin and safe from all distress.

(The Priest breaks the holy Host over the Chalice in three parts, saying:

Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, throughout all ages world without end.
S. Amen.

Pr. The peace + of the Lord be + always + with you.
S. And with thy spirit.

Pr. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.
S. Have mercy upon us.

Pr. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.
S. Have mercy upon us.

Pr. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.
S. Grant us peace.

(The following Prayer for Unity is omitted at Requiems)

Pr. O Lord Jesu Christ, who saidst to thine Apostles: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: regard not my sins, but the faith of thy Church, and vouchsafe, her peace and unity according to thy will.  Who livest and reignest God, throughout all ages, world without end.
S. Amen.

Pr. O Lord Jesu Christ, Son of the living God, who by the will of the Father, and the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, hast through thy death given life unto the world; deliver me by this, thy most sacred Body and Blood, from all mine iniquities and from every evil; make me ever so to cleave unto thy commandments and suffer me never to be separated from thee; who liveth and reignest with God the Father and the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
S. Amen.

Pr. O Lord Jesu Christ, let the partaking of thy Body, which I, unworthy, presume to receive, turn not to my judgment and condemnation; but of thy goodness let it avail unto me for protection of mind and body, that I may receive thy healing, who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, throughout all ages, world with- out end.
S. Amen.

Pr. I will receive the Bread of heaven, and call upon the name of the Lord.

(The Priest says three times: )

Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed.

(The Priest consumes the holy Host, and says: )

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto everlasting life.
S. Amen.

Pr. What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that he has done unto me? I will receive the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.  Praising, I will call upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from my enemies.

(The Priest then takes the Chalice and says: )

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto everlasting life.
S. Amen.

(When there are other Communicants also, these come and kneel at the Communion-rail while the Priest is praying in silence.  The Priest goes to the Communion-rail with a ciborium or paten, and says: )

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul unto everlasting life.

(The Communicant answers: )
Amen
and receives the Host.

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul unto everlasting life.

(The Communicavt answers: )
Amen
and consumes the Blood of Christ

Pr. Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our mouths, we may receive with a pure heart; and that of a temporal gift it may become to us an eternal remedy.  May thy Body, O Lord, which I have received, and thy Blood which I have drunk be grafted inwardly in my life and grant that no stain of sin may remain in me who have been refreshed with these pure and holy sacraments.  Who livest and reignest, world without end.
S. Amen.

(The Congregation kneels and the Priest sings: )

Pr. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Pr. Let us pray.

(The Priest sings the Post Communion Prayer at the conclusion of this prayer the Congregation sings: )

S. Amen

Then follows (only at sung Masses on Sundays) the prayer for the Queen.

Pr. O Lord, e pray that you Bless our government and those in authority to make the correct decisions to keep our world at peace.
S. Hear us the day, when we call upon thee.
Pr. O Lord, hear our prayer.
S. And let our cry come unto thee.
Pr. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.

Pr. Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God in whose hands is all power, look down on thy servants, our Government and citizens of our country.  Give us all the Spirit of wisdom, counsel and strength, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all piety.  Through Christ our Lord.
S. Amen.

Pr. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Pr. Let us bless the Lord (Alleluia)
S. Thanks be to God (Alleluia)

Pr. Let the performance of my duty and service be pleasing to thee, O holy Trinity, and grant that the sacrifice, which I unworthy have offered before the eyes of thy majesty, may be acceptable to thee, and through thy mercy may be a propitiation for me and all those for whom I have offered it. Through Christ, our Lord.

Pr. The blessing of God almighty, + the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be upon you.
S. Amen.

(The closing hymn is then sung, during Advent and Lent kneeling and otherwise standing, after which the Priest and the Servers retire.

(When the Bishop gives the blessing: )